Camera Confidence DSLR Training at YSP

Just got back and dried off from a great visit to Yorkshire Sculpture Park. I was there putting the final touches to our Camera Confidence course, 'Confidence with your DSLR'. We are fantastically privileged to be working with YSP and for our course in October we have full access to both the indoor and outdoor exhibitions. Yorkshire Sculpture Park is just of the M1 at J38, so if you've not been before it certainly worth a visit. They have regular exhibition updates, and if you've not tried the 12 gongs, then your missing out on a feeling you won't get anywhere, except inside a grand piano (visit YSP and it all makes sense!)

I'm so excited about the course, as at last I can now begin to share some of the amazing knowledge I've amassed over the course of hundreds of national and international wedding and portrait shoots. Our DSLR course if perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to get more from their DSLR. The course is on Sunday 30th October 2011, but with more already being planned for 2012. Places are limited so book soon to avoid disappointment.

You can also buy this course as a gift, which is a perfect gift idea for those planning on a new purchase this Christmas.

I'm so look forward to spending a lot more time at YSP and here are a few images that begin to explain why I feel this way!

Real Weddings - Paul & Caroline at Mount Pleasant Hotel, Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Paul and Caroline's wedding day started with preparations at Mount Pleasant Hotel in Doncaster South Yorkshire. Little Caroline slides into her dream wedding dress before heading to St John's Church in South Anston Sheffield. Arriving in style and to fantastic sunshine, the wedding is under way. After LOTS of hugs and kisses the couple head back to Mount Pleasant Hotel in Doncaster to celebrate their special day.

Once at Mount Pleasant Hotel, the guest are entertained by a magician and music, complete with a glass of champagne or two. Then pop into the gardens for 15 minutes to get the groups shots done, then a few personal photographs before their wedding breakfast and speeches.

The evening starts with a great dance routine by the couple for their first dance, and the evening is finished with a great firework display, which of course was all captured on video!

Thornbridge Annual Charity Garden Party

What does a photographer do on his day off? He photographs of course, and yesterday was one of those days. The difference is yesterday it was in support of the Annual Charity Garden Party hosted by the delightful Emma & Jim at their home and ever stunning Thornbridge Hall & Gardens. This now annual event is for a great course and this year it was supporting Lainey K Foundation, Helens Trust, Macmillan Cancer Care, Boots for Africa, and the National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline.  


How could I not capture this special event, especially on such a fantastic day. So Ros and I packing up the family we headed down to Thornbridge Hall, nr Bakewell in Derbyshire. We arrived shortly before 11am, and already the field was filling up rapidly with car. After the grand tour by the ever faith full Jackie, I set off armed and ready with two camera to capture the day. Problem was, it was huge, with so much going on it was hard to know where to start. Do I visit any one of the many stall, do I taste some of ther amzing cakes, or wild boar burgers, perhaps a I could try one of the beers, brewed by Thornbridge Brewery themselves. The event was spread across and within Emma and Jim's home, as once again they open their home and gardens for the public. 


As I walked around the hall and garden's I stopped to chat to some of the visitors, and everyone I spoke to, no matter how young or old, all echoed the same feeling...   ..."What a great event!"


Ok, enough of me talking about the event, if you went, you'll know wht a great day it was, for those that couldn't attend, then here are just some of the pictures I captured along the way.

Don't Trash The Dress - X-Cite The Dress

Today is the day of the Royal Wedding between Prince William & Catherine Middleton, and what a stunning wedding it was. This got me to thinking about Kate's beautiful dress and the American trend of 'Trash The Dress'.

For those that have not yet come across "Trash The Dress', it it's quite as bad as it seems, though I have seem some extreme shoots. It's more about have the photographs your REALLY wanted on your wedding day, but did have the location, time or ability on the day of your wedding. Many since have copied this idea, taking some stunning photographs.

So do you think Kate might have a Trash The Dress the session? Probably not, but she might want some amazing pictures of her in her dress, and perhaps Edward would like some too. And this is how many of our brides feel. So can I encourage you to not 'Box The Dress' or even 'Trash The Dress', but instead 'X-Cite The Dress' with a shoot from Stancliffe Studios.

Below is sample video from the a shoot we recent did to X-Cite The Dress and some photographs. I hope you enjoy them.

Engagement Shoot

What exactly is an engagement photography shoot?

Sometimes also called a pre-wedding photography shoot, this is not only a photography session, its also an opportunity to spend some time with us to plan and prepare you for your wedding day. It might sound very boring, but it's far from it it's really is fun!

Both parts of the session are important to you as the excited couple planning your wedding day and to us as your chosen photographer. Planning your wedding photography, includes your wedding day schedule, what groups shots you'd like, and also getting to know who your key wedding party members are. This ensures we know all the who, what, when and where's of your wedding day. It also ensures that your photography is fully integrated into your day rather than your day having revolve around the photographer - this certainly is not our style!

Once the planning part is done, we head off around your wedding venue looking for all the best spots to capture some contemporary photographs. Along the way, we'll teach a you few things to help you relax in front of the camera and look your very best. This isn't about making you stand in awkward poses, the photographs we capture will be natural, relaxed and of course fun.

An engagement and planning session is part of every package we offer, for more information about our package visit our website at http://www.stancliffestudios.com.

Below is a video we created, from one of our engagement or pre-wedding shoots at Hassop Hall Hotel near Bakewell Derbyshire.

Still want more, then contact us today for more information or contact directly at info@stancliffestudios.com

You can't stand still...

It's time for change

Over the last 6 months at Stancliffe Studios photography I've been busy clearing my decks and preparing for a year of change in 2011. As a photographer who continuously strives for better, I welcome change with open arms, so long as it's for the better, and that is exactly what I have planned...

In 2011 I will be working hard to bring you an all new portrait portfolio of options and products, even more contemporary and elegant than before. Fresh back from a recent and significant trade fair we have a list of new wall, desk and book ideas for all our clients. Bigger still we will be launching an all new website called Photography For Life, dedicated to capturing todays lifestyle images for you and your family. The new site will also show off an all new gallery and our new product portfolio. For more information follow us on Facebook and be the first to hear all about out new portrait website and products.

On the wedding front, two of our major suppliers have some fantastic new updates, so new demonstrations will be coming online over the course of the year. A sneaky update this includes some great new cover options, and at last a great matt finished paper, perfect for todays modern wedding couple. As well as the updates, which I love, I'm also very excited about an all new coffee book which is a fantastic alternative to our larger Italian and Classical wedding day photography albums.

And it doesn't stop there... We are also working on new wedding videography packages and options, we are developing some new contemporary editing techniques for our photographs to give them even more punch, AND by much request we are working hard to bring you more camera/photography training (see our website www.cameraconfidence.co.uk in the forth coming weeks for some fantastic FREE training videos brought to you from across Europe!).

So with this long list of things to do, I better get on with it, but I'll be back soon with more updates and photographs from my latest photography shoots.

Karl

Winter Wedding are even more amazing with our discounts

Available for all new wedding bookings in October, November, December, January, February and March

Looking to have a winter wedding in 2011 or 2012, then first have a look at our fantastic winter wedding video below, then you see how much you can saving on your wedding photography package.

Save up to £350 on all regular wedding packages

You can get a forty page Itallian made Graphistudio with full day coverage for only £1250

Your package will include:

• Full day coverage from morning preperations until first dance and evening celebrations
• Big screen presentation of your wedding day photographs for your evening guests to view
• Secure online photography gallery available within 3 to 4 days of your wedding
• Wedding slideshow of your favourites wedding day photographs
• A wedding day website to inform your family & friends all about your wedding day
• Pre-wedding planning consultation and engagement shoot
• Proofing CD for your to keep
• All your wedding day images professional edited and stylised
• Evening portraits for your friends and family, and we bring a bag full of props!

If you want more information then visit our website and review our amazing all inclusive wedding photography packages at Stancliffe Studios. We look forward to capturing your wedding day...

Stancliffe Studios launches videography

Karl and the ever growing team at Stancliffe Studios having been busy in the background getting ready to bring you our all new videography services - and now it's here. Not only are we marking this day as the official launch, we are also offering some very special offers!

As we move into the 21st Century, Stancliffe Studios has taken the step to not only fully embrace videography, but we are planning on changing the face of it. Advancements in technology now means we can offer a complete photography and videography service all rolled into one, and all captured using high definition (HD) equipment.

Not only have we invested very heavily over this past quarter in the very latest equipment, we have also been working closely with a fantastic videography company to bring you an amazing set of multimedia services.

To get you started we have created three fantastic packages, each designed for the differing needs of our modern weddings, but all can be customised. Our first package, called 'Editors Choice' is our most ground breaking. The 'Editor Choice' package, is a great entry point for those not wanting a full video package, but for couples still wanting to capture all those special memories to keep forever.

Our next package 'Producers Pick', is a complete videography service for those wanting more comprehensive wedding day coverage. Finally leaving us with the 'Director Cut' package giving you unrivalled coverage, service and high quality video output from your wedding day. Both the Producers Pick and Directors Cut packages can be purchased with or without our photography, so if you already have a photographer organise, but still want contemporary video from your day, then these are ideal options.

All our packages can be fully enhanced further to fit your exact needs, giving you a true fusion of unbelievable high definition captured video footage with crisp audio from your day (including your wedding vows and speeches) and stunning still photography.

Limited Launch Special Offer!!!
The first 10 booking will receive a HUGE discount of between 10% and 20% (see breakdown below)
The next 10 booking will receive 2 extra copies of their DVD in our deluxe presentation cases absolutely free! These are ideal parent gifts...

The percentage discount against our packages are as follows:

• 10% off our 'Editors Choice' package
• 15% off our 'Producers Pick' package
• 20% off our 'Directors Cut' package

Now you know all about our all new videography services, why not view our sample 4 minute showreel below, and then if you want to more, simply drop us a line at the studio at video@stancliffestudios.com

Winter Wedding Photographs at Tankersley Manor

Winter Wedding photographs have something special about them, especially the glow and warmth of the evening lighting, and this selection from Tankersley Manor is no exception. Tankersley Manor is based just North of Sheffield, towards Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and is an ideally located wedding venue just of the M1. For more information about this Tankersley Manor contact the team at www.qhotels.co.uk/hotels/tankersley-manor-barnsley.aspx.